What is component 3B? Using questioning and discussion techniques is a very important aspect of teaching. Students must be prompted to think deeply and creatively about topics they may have not related to one another before. The way the teacher phrases the question can make a huge difference in how the students think about and respond to that question. Allowing students time to formulate thoughts, opinions, and questions is a great to enrich the discussion and allow it to be very student driven. The first element of this component is quality of questions/prompts. High level questions should be used to deepen students' understanding by giving them ample time to reflect on their classmates' opinion and really formulate their own while taking others into account. Lower level questions can help students to memorize facts but it does not deepen their understanding of a subject. The second element is discussion techniques. This is that the teacher knows the difference between explanations of a topic and discussion of a topic. Allowing students to interact with one another and discuss without teacher interruption or prompting them with questions is a great way to deepen their understanding of that topic. Hearing from peers about their opinions and comparing it to one's own opinion is helpful in having a well-rounded perspective on something to be able to formulate a well thought out and informed opinion. The last element of this component is student participation. Discussions without all students engaged are not going to be the most productive discussions. Often there are students who dominate the discussion and therefore other students sit back and listen. Teachers must be able to use techniques and questions that will engage every student in the classroom in the discussion and allow all voices to be heard.
How can it be implemented in the classroom? There are many ways to initiate a meaningful discussion in the classroom. One way to do this is through a loosely structured Socratic seminar. Some students may feel overwhelmed and intimidated in a Socratic seminar so making it less formal and more laid back will help to ease tensions. A Socratic seminar is a discussion based on a text or topic that is student lead. The teacher attempts to stay as out of the conversation as possible and only intervening when absolutely necessary. Students come prepared with thoughts, questions, and comments on the text and they sit in a circle and discuss. If there are a lot of students in the class, one half can sit out and observe the conversation and then the roles can be switched another day. Socratic seminars allow students to share opinions, ask questions, and develop a deeper understanding of a topic. Sharing their questions and opinions can help other students to look at things through a new perspective. In order to make sure all students are welcome, it's important for the teacher to establish a comfortable environment where students respect one another. Check out my page on component 2A: creating an environment of respect and rapport to gain understanding of why that is so important. A way to implement this component in the classroom through technology is by using Edmodo. Edmodo allows students to engage in discussion boards with their peers as well as globally. Teachers can post questions for students to answer outside of the class. It encourages students to engage in discussions beyond the four walls of the classroom.
The Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2017, from http://static.pdesas.org/content/documents/danielson_rubric_32.pdf (2017). I.vimeocdn.com. Retrieved 3 November 2017, from https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/476906137_1280x720.jpg